At a Glance
The Skoda Octavia has 7 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk2 (2004-2013) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 2.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Skoda Octavia common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Skoda Octavia generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Skoda Octavia Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: Brake air or vacuum system fault
Mk2
Top issue: Indicator fault
Mk3
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Mk4
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Skoda Octavia MOT Failures
Every reason Skoda Octavia vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.12% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.82% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.30% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.19% |
| 5 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.38% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.15% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.91% |
| 8 | Driveshaft fault | 4.80% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 4.53% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.69% |
| 11 | Ball joint dust cover split | 3.08% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.78% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 2.70% |
| 14 | Position lamp not working | 2.14% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.05% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 1.97% |
| 17 | Exhaust system fault | 1.88% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.87% |
| 19 | Indicator fault | 1.60% |
| 20 | Airbag warning light on | 1.40% |
| 21 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.32% |
| 22 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.20% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.19% |
| 24 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.16% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.15% |
| 26 | Headlamp fault | 1.10% |
| 27 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 1.03% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 0.98% |
| 29 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.85% |
| 30 | ABS fault | 0.85% |
| 31 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.54% |
| 32 | Seat belt condition | 0.50% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.48% |
| 34 | Front suspension fault | 0.46% |
| 35 | Parking brake condition | 0.41% |
| 36 | Steering rack fault | 0.41% |
| 37 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.37% |
| 38 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 39 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.32% |
| 40 | Fog lamp not working | 0.31% |
| 41 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.28% |
| 42 | Rear suspension fault | 0.26% |
| 43 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.25% |
| 44 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.24% |
| 45 | Brake caliper fault | 0.23% |
| 46 | Horn not working | 0.22% |
| 47 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.22% |
| 48 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.21% |
| 49 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.21% |
| 50 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 51 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 52 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.16% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 55 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.13% |
| 57 | Brake pedal fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Electrical switch fault | 0.11% |
| 59 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 60 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 62 | Steering free play excessive | 0.09% |
| 63 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 65 | Driver airbag fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 67 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.06% |
| 68 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Propshaft fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.06% |
| 71 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 73 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 74 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 75 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 76 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 77 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Chassis condition | 0.04% |
| 80 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.04% |
| 81 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 82 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 84 | Electric power steering fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 86 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 93 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 95 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 96 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 99 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 100 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 101 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 105 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 113 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 133 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 139 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 147 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 152 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 169 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 171 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 183 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 194 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Skoda Octavia MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Skoda Octavia, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Skoda Octavia problems?
Based on analysis of 2.8M Skoda Octavia MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 7 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Indicator fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Skoda Octavia generation has the most problems?
The Skoda Octavia Mk2 (2004-2013) (2004–2013) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Skoda Octavia?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Skoda Octavia owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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